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| Iranian authorities have freed a protester on bail following international pressure and warnings from the United States over possible executions linked to the recent unrest. |
Iran has released detained protester Erfan Soltani on bail, days after the United States raised concerns that demonstrators could face execution following nationwide unrest. Soltani, 26, had been held since January on charges linked to propaganda against Iran’s Islamic system and actions against national security, according to judicial officials.
His lawyer confirmed his release on Sunday, easing fears in Washington that he was on death row. The development comes at a time of rising tension between Tehran and the United States, with President Donald Trump warning of possible military action if Iranian authorities carry out executions of anti-government protesters.
Iran releases protester on bail as tensions rise
Iranian officials had denied earlier US claims that Soltani was sentenced to death, insisting the charges against him do not carry capital punishment. Protests across Iran began over soaring living costs before expanding into broader opposition to the government.
Security forces responded with force, which authorities say was necessary to contain what they described as violent riots targeting public buildings, banks, and security installations. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Sunday compared the unrest to an attempted coup.
He accused foreign powers of stirring the demonstrations and warned that any US military strike would spread conflict across the region.
“If they start a war, it will not stay limited,” Khamenei said in a televised address, urging Iranians not to be intimidated by threats from Washington.Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also acknowledged the risk of misjudgment between the two countries.
Speaking in an interview, he said some regional nations were working quietly to restore communication between Tehran and Washington.
He added that Iran could consider talks if the US approach focused on fairness and excluded Iran’s defense capabilities.
Death toll disputes deepen international fallout
Iran’s presidency released a list on Sunday naming nearly 3,000 people it said died during the unrest, with officials claiming many were security personnel and civilians caught in violence. Human rights groups outside the country have reported far higher figures, mostly among protesters.
The crackdown has already triggered diplomatic consequences.
The European Union recently designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization. Iran’s parliament responded by labeling European armed forces as terrorists in return.
Lawmakers appeared in IRGC-style uniforms during a parliamentary session, chanting anti-Western slogans in footage broadcast on state television. The move followed similar classifications of the Guards by the United States, Canada, and Australia.
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Why this matters now
The decision to free Soltani on bail signals possible caution from Iranian authorities as global pressure intensifies. With military threats, rising casualties, and diplomatic retaliations unfolding at the same time, even small legal developments are closely watched for signs of escalation or restraint.
For Washington and its allies, the fate of detained protesters has become a central issue in shaping future relations with Tehran.
For Iran’s leadership, balancing internal control with growing international scrutiny remains a challenge.
As tensions continue, Iran releasing a protester on bail may offer a brief pause, but the wider crisis between Tehran and the West shows no sign of easing.
By Primelineinfo
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